eletrical protection and design

[thomking]

I want someone to explain briefly about the static electrical protection and electrical design. Awaiting replies

thanks in advance

[thomking]

static electrical protection and electrical design. explanation needed.

thanks in advance.

[Bob Axsom]

Where I last worked we had a section that did nothing provide expert engineering support, analysis, test, report and approval of systems & projects for what could fall in your area of concern. If you are only concerned about static wicks and dischargers, I have never seen them on an RV. They are attached to trailing edges and supposedly provide a path for bleeding off airframe static charge into the surounding air in flight. The current Aircraft Spruce and Specialty catalog has five examples on page 427. I personally have no information on their effectiveness. I have never had them on any airplane I have flown and I've never had a problem caused by static charge buildup.

However, ESD electrostatic discharge is a MAJOR concern in the aerospace industry and I'm sure the cause for these concerns applies to the microelectronics in systems that are now being installed in private aircraft. The manufacturers have dealt with this to varying degrees or integrated circuits would be failing like popcorn just from handling uninstalled parts, subassemblies and units in the factory, in distribution and by the final user. In the space part of the aerospace industry EVERYONE having any contact with electronics must receive ESD training, pass a test and be certified. I was certified but I've been retired for a few years so I am not as sensitive and current as others in this forum - in my mind it has mainly to do with humidity and grounding to minimize static charge buildup which will cause partial or complete failures of microelectronics.

If your concern covers radio frequency interference (RFI) or electromagnetic interference (EMI) you get into undesired coupling to and from wiring. Twisting multiple wires sheilding wires with a ground connection of the shield on one end only, coax cables etc. are used for protection.

Others will provide more I'm sure. Aircraft Spruce is now open and I have to go.

Bob Axsom

[Mel]

I've had static wicks on my -6 since 1993. The reason I put them on is because of Mooney. While going down their assembly line I noticed that some Mooneys had them and some didn't. They told me that every airplane that had a LORAN installed got the wicks. I had a LORAN, so I installed them. Don't know how effective they are since I have never flown it without them.
When I switched over to GPS I never removed them.

[thomking]

Others will provide more I'm sure

Ya awaiting!

[w1curtis]

Originally Posted by thomking

Ya awaiting!

Maybe you will get better response if a little bit more detail was added to the question. That's a broad question and if you are more specific, you should receive more feedback.

What are you trying to protect? What do you want a design for?

[Bill Dicus]

On a number of occasions we've had St. Elmo's fire dancing across the windshield (Piper PA-32R) and arcing to fingers held too close. Also on OAT probe and parts of wings and tips. Corruscating, blue and looks spectacular. Had static in radios but able to com and nav at those times. Was much CB in area in all these situations but nothing very close (by Stormscope) and no visuals on lightning. The LORAN failed then and on multiple other times when much CB in area but no St. Elmo's. It's very exciting and intimidating but nothing bad has happened yet on our plane. Our RV-8 will have a Dynon D10A and AFS 3400, completely independent. I still want a turn coordinator in case they both go belly up. A pilot for Midwest told me the Boeing 717's don't like electrical storms and he didn't trust the glass entirely. Anybody have any hard info on this? Bill